Trainee Analytical Chemist

Dstl; England; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

Dstl is seeking a Trainee Analytical Chemist highly motivated in chemistry to join their Analytical Chemistry team. In this position, you will engage with cutting-edge laboratory techniques, ensuring compliance with stringent quality systems and contributing to crucial defence research. This hands-on role will provide opportunities for ongoing professional development.

Benefits

Civil Service Pension scheme

Internal training programs

Flexible working options

Generous annual leave

Qualifications

• Strong interest in laboratory research and analytical chemistry.
• Detail-oriented with a focus on quality assurance.
• Basic understanding of safety regulations and laboratory practices.

Responsibilities

• Conduct chemical analysis for threat assessment and physical protection.
• Ensure compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
• Assist with laboratory maintenance and safe chemical disposal.

Skills

Methodical approach

Detail-oriented

Interest in analytical chemistry

Education

Relevant degree in chemistry or related field

Job description

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Dstl Porton Down , Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JQ

You will be expected to attend site at least 80% of your time.

Travel to other Dstl sites and some travel to various MOD, Government and partner / supplier locations is likely to be required.

Job Summary

Are you passionate about science and eager to apply your skills to critical UK defence and security projects? The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is looking for self-motivated individuals to join our Analytical Chemistry team, where you'll play a key role in high-impact research and development.

This hands-on opportunity will allow you to learn on the job, gaining valuable experience in cutting-edge laboratory techniques that support defence and security capabilities. Working within our ISO/IEC 17025 quality system, you'll receive specialist training to work safely and securely while contributing to essential national and international programmes.

What You'll Do

• Work in a secure and regulated laboratory environment, ensuring safety and compliance
• Support critical chemical analysis for threat assessment and physical protection programmes
• Maintain laboratory accreditation standards, including ISO/IEC 17025 compliance
• Conduct stock audits, manage consumables, and oversee safe chemical disposal
• Assist with instrument maintenance, sample preparation, and analysis
• Develop expertise in working with specialist chemicals and solvents
• Receive ongoing professional development, including external and in-house training
  
  

What We’re Looking For

• A keen interest in analytical chemistry and laboratory research
• A methodical and detail-oriented approach to scientific work
• A commitment to quality assurance and regulatory compliance
• Enthusiasm for learning and contributing to a high-performing team
  
  

Join us at Dstl and help shape the future of UK defence and security science. Apply now and start your journey towards impactful, innovative research!

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

Job Description

In this role you will:

• Work safely and securely in our laboratories, adhering to H&S regulations and good lab practice.
• Understand the importance of working within a quality system (ISO/IEC17025:2017) ensuring clear audit trails are maintained.
• Ensure specific activities related to ISO/IEC17025 accreditation and regulatory compliance are completed as scheduled e.g. recording fridge temperatures and balance calibrations and ensuring information is recorded accurately.
• Adhering to process and procedure, identifying and communicating anomalies to the Technical Managers.
  
  

Please see full job description attached in the candidate pack at the bottom of this page.

In This Role You Will

• Work safely and securely in our laboratories, adhering to H&S regulations and good lab practice.
• Understand the importance of working within a quality system (ISO/IEC17025:2017) ensuring clear audit trails are maintained.
• Ensure specific activities related to ISO/IEC17025 accreditation and regulatory compliance are completed as scheduled e.g. recording fridge temperatures and balance calibrations and ensuring information is recorded accurately.
• Adhering to process and procedure, identifying and communicating anomalies to the Technical Managers.
  
  

Please see full job description attached in the candidate pack at the bottom of this page.

Person specification

Safety at Dstl

Accountable for ensuring safe and secure work;

Must appreciate and be responsible for the health and safety of self and others; both understand and meet defined accountabilities as written in Dstl policy,

Must demonstrate the expected HS (& EP) behaviours as defined by the Civil Service and Dstl and lead by example,

Must ensure understanding and maintenance of appropriate training, experience and knowledge (i.e. competent / SQEP) for self and direct reports,

Develop a working environment that is supportive of and champions the Dstl approach to security, health, wellbeing, safety and environmental (HSEP) management,

Be aware of the downstream impact of their actions and the actions of their direct reports on those outside of their immediate control.

Implement Dstl's policies and ensure compliance with the Management System

Important Information

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

Individuals within DSTL who hold dual nationality and currently hold the required clearance level may apply. If found suitable for the role further security discussions will need to take place before a formal offer can be made.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
  
  

Alongside your salary of £23,892, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £6,921 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Benefits

Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:

• Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.
• Flexible working: Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours (e.g. working a 4 day week/ 9 day fortnight), job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).
• Working hours: Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.
• Where you work: Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview.
• Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.
• Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid
• Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.
• Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.
  
  

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

At the application stage we will be assessing the Personal Statement and CV. Interview will be assessing your skills, experience and the behaviours stated above.

We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team [e-mail] and we will do all we can to support you.

Sifting will take place week on a rolling basis. This will commence from the 30th June 2025, continuing until the 13th July. Interviews to be arranged w/c 21st, 28th & 4th August 2025. Interview will include a tour and will last approx 1.5 hours

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact

• Name : Dstl Recruitment Team
• Email : [e-mail]
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email : [e-mail]
  
  

Further information

Should you wish to raise a formal complaint about the Dstl recruitment process you should email [e-mail] stating the nature of the issue. We will respond within 5 working days.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Internship

Employment type

• Employment type

  Part-time

Job function

• Job function

  Research, Analyst, and Information Technology

• Industries

  Defense and Space Manufacturing

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